The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-22


buildings and will occupy the field and Sc.
cure the people before our church comes
to a realizing sense that it has had and
lost fine opportunity for church extern
sion. Immediate action is demanded
and permanent results are expected.
They should be helped in some way to
purchase lot, and erect chapel. This
will greatly unite and strengthen the
parish and cause em to be recognized
as a permanent Organization and the
people will then be willing to identify
themselves with the movement.
Assistant Superintendent.
No Assistant Superintendent has been
appointed during the past year though
the money was raised and placed at the
disposal of the Trustees for the purpose
The Trustees have SO directed the mis-
sionary work as to reach practically the
same or better results than would have
been secured by keeping an assistant in
the field. The Committee on Missions
has had full charge of the missionary
work in North Chicago, the ministers in
and around Chicago conducting the SER
vices without compensation. This work
would otherwise have devolved upon the
Superintendent. In fact, / have, so far
as the Lower Wabash Association is con-
cerned, been doing the work that would
have devolved upon the Assistant, had
been detained in Chicago. A better
work has been done in North Chicago
than I could have been able to accom-.
plish alone, and am sure my lsbors have
been quite as acceptable to the Southern
brethren as any Assistants would have
been. 1 feel confident the action of
the Trustees in this matter will receive
the approval Of this Convention.
Circuits.
There are several small parishes where
preaching services could be regularly
maintained il Circuits were formed. To
get parishes conveniently located, to unite
in calling minister; and to find minis
ter able to edify the people and willing to
make the needed sacrifice by accepting
service upon the Circuit, is work at
tended with great difficulty. To revive
one dying church, harmonize all the dis
cordant elements and bring them to an
agreement regarding the settlement of a
pastor, is work demanding time, tact
and patience; but when you attempt to
bring perhaps four such parishes to an
agreement in calling minister, the labor
is very greatly increased. IL churches
would only forget past troubles and dis
sensions and turn to the future, working
with confidence and strong purpose to
sustain the cause, receiving such minis
tiers as they are financially able to sup
port, our labors would be simplified and
the church greatly extended. A church
should possess enough Of the Christian
spirit to live in peace with all men and
preserve harmony among themselves. IL
people had more abiding interest in re-
igion and love for the church there would
be more harmony and fewer churches
would become and continue inactive.
Perhaps there are serions objections to
the circuit system, but &c yet, know of
no better way OF reaching small parishes
and making it posei ole Tor them TO secure
preaching for such portion Of the time as
they may be able to sustain.
The Permanent Fund
I have not been able to give attention
to the increase of the Permanent Fund.
and am not aware that any efforts have
been made by the Trustees to this end.
1t is important that something be done to
increase this fund. How this result may
be accomplished without diverting atten-
ton temporarily from the missionary
work, is subject for the Convention to
consider. The work now under way
must not be permitted to suffer; but in
this Semi. Centennial year, some means
should be devised and set in operation.
for increasing the Permanent Fund
When the fund is large enough, SO that
Superintendent and the yearly contribu-
tions from churches and individuals can
be used for church extension, the mis-
sionary cause will receive new impetus
and be placed upon a permanent basis.
believe that whel finances are easy,
and other enterprises are not absorbing
our attention and resources, large Per-
manent Fund can be raised for mission
airy and church extension purposes.
Lower Wabash Association.
This Association includes all that por-
ton of the State lying south of Spring
field. August 25 and % 1 attended the
annual nesting at Rose Hill. The at
tendance was large and the interest good.
A resolution was unanimously adopted
approving our plan of work and pledging
the Convention more cordial and liber-
al support. 1t is gratifying to note the
changed condition of things in this Asso-
citation, and mark the interest the people
are now taking in our work of church ex-
tension. There is growing appreciation
of our church. feeling of loyalty to the
Convention, with realizing sense of
their own responsibilities, that foreshad-
ows greater advance for our church with
in the limits of this Association. They
are religious people, deeply in earnest,
and when they are. made fully acquaint-
ed with our plan of work, and are prop